Creation of new Trincomalee DS divisions causes concern

[TamilNet, Friday, 10 March 2006, 12:26 GMT]Mr.R.Sampanthan, Trincomalee district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian raised concern over an attempt to create two more new divisional secretariat divisions, one in the north and the other in the south, in the Trincomalee district. "It is my view that consensus of people within the existing divisions should be sought on such matters. There should not be any attempt to impose a decision on any people," Mr.Sampanthan said in a letter to the Government Agent of Trincomalee district.

Mr.Sampanthan has sent copies of his letter to Dr.Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs and Mr.Hettiarachchi, Additional Secretary of the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry.
Mr.Hettiarachchi also holds the post of Chairman of the Delimitation Committee of new Divisional Secretariats Divisions in the Trincomalee district.

The Delimitation Committee was expected to meet March 10th in Trincomalee district secretariat to record evidence of those concerned, sources said.

"The sitting should be put off until middle of April for further consideration. This is very sensitive matter that needs to be handled with care. There can be no room for manipulation. By the creation of new secretariat divisions, the peace and tranquility that prevails within existing divisions should not be disturbed, " Mr.Sampanthan said in his letter.

Mr.Sampanthan further said: "There is a view, that in order to create certain divisions, to satisfy the wishes of a section, and in order to justify such creation, on the basis of criteria pertaining to size and population, there is an attempt to annex to such proposed creation, small pockets of territory, with a distinct population, which would make such population an insignificant minority within the new division so created. This is bound to cause resentment amongst such people and would promote disaffection and disunity. Such a situation should not be permitted particularly at a time when efforts are being made to promote the peace process."